Individual warning using electric signals

在潜在危险环境(如铁轨、道路建筑工地、集装箱内或在不清楚的设施中进行维护工作期间)的劳动情况要求员工在发生危险时得到可靠的个别警告，以便他们能够进入安全境地。最先进的是具有光学(例如信号灯)、声学(例如警报器)或极少的振动信号的警告系统。当信号感知因干扰或各种环境影响而受阻时，就会出现问题。一种新的研究方法涉及到使用纹理可以可靠且容易地将电信号施加到皮肤表面。总体目标是建立一个基于电刺激的功能、符合法规的警报系统，以满足个人用户的要求。因此，需要对刺激技术进行研究，并且必须确定刺激阈值以可靠地检测电信号。在我们的工作中，我们研究了电刺激的敏感度，同时将损害功能的影响降至最低。这种创新的研究方法是对现有研究方法的补充。然而，没有标准，所以在第一步，必须探索性地开发知识库。在项目第一阶段，第一部分，基于4个工作假设，我们能够证明在实验室条件下通过电刺激进行警告是可能的。在对不同信号形式的广泛实验中，建立了确保可靠警报的合适的信号类型。为了确定基本知觉阈值，忽略了气候、工具、工作姿势或PSA等干扰因素，对68名参与者进行了一项使用粘性电极的研究。因此，可以定义三个阈值：-感知阈值-注意阈值和-不耐受阈值。此外，还提出了不同电极设计的纺织品功能模型的概念。在项目第一阶段第二部分中，将研究感知阈值，即必须评估考虑上述影响因素的信号感知。此外，还将研究在多个电极上对时空模式的感知。为此，计划建造一个专门的实验室空间，用于模拟环境影响(温度、湿度、空气流动)。为了确保结果的可比性，将按照项目第一阶段第一部分的规定，首先使用粘合电极进行研究。根据功能样本(第1部分)，袖子将由测试人员制造和检验。阈值是未来开发使用电信号的警报系统的基础。随后，即在项目第二阶段，将调查长期和习惯化影响。

Labor situations in potentially dangerous environments (e.g. railway tracks, road construction sites, in containers or during maintenance work in unclear facilities) require the reliable and individual warning of employees in case of danger so that they can get themselves into safety. State of the art are warning systems with optical (e.g. signal lamps), acoustic (e.g. sirens), or rarely, vibratory signals. Problematic situations arise when signal perception is impeded by distractions or various environmental influences. A new research approach involves electrical signals that can be applied reliably and easily to the skin surface using textiles.The overall goal is to establish a functioning, regulation-compliant warning system based on electrical stimulation that meets the requirements of the individual user. Thus, research into stimulation techniques is required, and stimulation thresholds must be determined to reliably detect electrical signals. In our work, we investigate the perceptibility of electrical stimulation, while simultaneously minimizing impairing functional effects. This innovative research approach complements already existing ones. However, there are no standards so that in a first step, a knowledge base must be developed exploratively.Based on 4 working hypotheses, in project phase 1, part 1, we were able to show that warning by means of electrical stimulation is possible under laboratory conditions. In extensive experiments with different signal forms, suitable signal types ensuring a reliable warning were established. A study was carried out based on 68 participants with adhesive electrodes in order to determine the basic perception thresholds, neglecting interfering influences such as climate, tools, working postures, or PSA. As a result, three threshold values could be defined: - Perception threshold- Attention threshold and- Intolerance threshold.In addition, concepts for textile functional models with different electrode designs have been developed.In project phase 1, part 2, the perceptual thresholds are to be investigated, i.e. signal perception under consideration of the above-mentioned influencing factors must be evaluated. Furthermore, the perception of spatial-temporal patterns on multiple electrodes will be investigated. For this purpose, the construction of a special laboratory space for the simulation of environmental influences (temperature, humidity, air movement) is planned. The study will initially be carried out with adhesive electrodes in accordance with project phase 1, part 1, in order to ensure comparability of the results. Based on functional samples (part 1), sleeves will be manufactured and examined by test persons. The threshold values are the basis for the future development of a warning system using electrical signals. Subsequently, i.e. in project phase 2, long-term and habituation effects will be investigated.